Ostia

uchibacoya, Crafty Games, Maldito Games · Board game · 2022

9.5 Ludopedia 8.0 BGG 1–4 · best 3 Solo 100–120 min Weight 2.9/5

Buy · from US$ 71.96

9.5 rating Ludopedia

8.0 rating BGG

Buy · from US$ 71.96

Our Verdict

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Ostia is a strategy game with a super interesting Mancala mechanic that will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy planning your moves and have a soft spot for Ancient Rome, you can dive right in!

Highlights

Innovative Mancala mechanic
Deep and engaging strategy
Well-applied Roman theme
High replayability with variable setup

Keep in mind

Slight initial learning curve
Can feel a bit slow

Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey everyone, let's talk about Ostia! This is a strategy game that puts you in charge of a mighty fleet to explore the oceans, engage in trade, and develop the port. Here's the twist: you'll use a Mancala system to power up your personal board and strive for the highest honor! Each turn, you select one of six spaces on your board, which will produce resources based on the number of ships present. Then, you take all those ships and distribute them one by one clockwise. The action you take corresponds to the space where the last ship lands. By repeating this, you can build new ships, upgrade your existing ones to larger vessels, or construct buildings in the harbor. It's a game that flows nicely, with a very engaging core mechanic that makes you think about your best moves. Perfect for those who enjoy strategy with a novel twist and aren't afraid of a good challenge. The Roman setting adds an extra charm for history buffs!

Gallery

Box and component photos

11 photos · from the community

01 / 11

Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

In English

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players

1 REC

2 REC

3 BEST

4 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher uchibacoya, Crafty Games, Maldito Games, Skellig Games

Designer Totsuca Chuo

Artist Rocinante Urabe, Tatsuki Asano

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

3,157owners

2,909wishlist

540want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions

What is the average playtime for Ostia?

A game of Ostia typically lasts between 100 and 120 minutes, depending on the player count and familiarity with the rules.

Is Ostia good for solo play?

Yes! Ostia offers a solo mode for 1 player, allowing you to explore the game's strategies at your own pace.

Is the game very complicated to learn?

Ostia has a medium strategic weight (2.89/5 on BGG). The core Mancala mechanic might require a bit of attention at first, but the game flows well after the initial rounds.

How many players does Ostia support?

The game is designed for 1 to 4 players, making it great for solo players and small groups alike.

What kind of components come in the game?

Ostia typically includes a main board, individual player boards, ships, resources, contract cards, and various tokens to track progress and actions.

Who would you recommend Ostia to?

We recommend Ostia to players who enjoy strategy games with unique mechanics (like Mancala and Rondel), appreciate historical themes (especially Ancient Rome), and are looking for a game with good replayability.